Removable muffler cartridge particularly adapted for a forwardly tapering exhaust pipe tip

ABSTRACT

A removable muffler cartridge in combination with a forwardly tapering exhaust pipe tip which has a rearwardly facing V-shaped cross section sealing ring located at the forward end of the cartridge, said cartridge having an inner tube concentrically located within an outer tube to form a muffler chamber therebetween with muffler material therein, said inner tube having a plurality of holes therethrough communicating the muffler chamber with the interior of the inner tube and having a forwardly tapering rear section, said outer tube having a cylindrical front section and a cylindrical rear section which is substantially larger than said front section, said cartridge being provided with radially extending structure at its rear end to index the cartridge concentrically with the exhaust pipe tip, and being removably held in engagement with said V-shaped sealing ring by a bolt extending through the center of the cartridge.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Richard L. Rader 1,106,062 7/1955 France 181/42 15321 Cascade Lane, Huntington Beach, 751,619 7/1956 Great Britain 181/61 Calif. 92646 9 6 76 3/19 65 Cge a t B r-itainn 181/50 [21] Appl. No. 16,394 481,63?) 6/1953 Italy 181/72 [22] Filed Mar. 4, 1970 490,218 2/1954 Italy 181/50 [45] Patented 1971 Primary Examiner-Robert S. Ward, Jr.

Att0rney-Noel G. Conway [54] REMOVABLE MUFFLER CARTRIDGE PARTICULARLY ADAPTED FOR A FORWARDLY e e 1 TAPERING EXHAUST PIPE TIP ABSTRACT: A removable muffler cartridge in combination l3 Claims,7 Drawing Figs. with a forwardly tapering exhaust pipe tip which has a rearwardly facing V-shaped cross section sealing ring located at [52] U.S.Cl. cal/5011881106712, the forward end of the cartridge Said cartridge having an [51] Int CL I H 1 U10 inner tube concentrically located within an outer tube to form F01 7/18 a muffler chamber therebetween with muffler material 501 Field ofSearch 181/61- 9min said inner tube having a plurality P 72 42 50 36 3 41 49 55 therethrough communicating the muffler'chamber with the interior of the inner tube and having a forwardly tapering rear 5 References ci section, said outer tube having a cylindrical front section anda UN'TED STATES PATENTS cylindrical rear section WhlCl'l 15 substantially larger than said front section, said cartridge being provided with radially ex- 2,185,584 1/1940 Boyce 1531/360 tending structure at its rear end to index the cartridge concen- 3ol6'l08 H1962 Myddekon Zn/36(3) trically with the exhaust pipe tip, and being removably held in FOREIGN PATENTS engagement with said V-shaped sealing ring by a bolt extend- 1 31,298 3/1953 France 181/72 ing through the center ofthe cartridge,

-Patented Feb. 16, 1971 INVENTOR." RIGHIARD t. 2406A W 41. a v 1 flrraewn REMOVABLE MUFFLER CARTRIDGE PARTICULARLY ADAPTED FOR A FORWARDLY TAPERING EXHAUST PIPE TIP j A primary use of the present invention is in vehicles which are used on highway and off highway such as dune buggies. When these vehicles are used on the highway, they must be provided with regulation muffler equipment in order to maintain the exhaust noises at the prescribed levels. However, when the vehicles are used off the highway, such as for example, out in the desert, it is not longer necessary to keep the exhaust system noised at the regulation level. Further, the drivers like to have their dune buggies make noise.

One aspect of the present invention is that it includes a forwardly tapering exhaust pipe tip which acts as a megaphone to concentrate the exhaust noises in a particular direction, preferably in the opposite direction the vehicle is traveling. Thereby, the exhaust noises are directed away from the driver and passenger in the vehicle so as to not unduly irritate the ears of the driver and passenger. And, on the other hand, those in proximity of the vehicle will hear a relatively loud roar.

Another aspect of the present invention is that it incorporates a removable muffler cartridge which may be rapidly installed into and/or removed from the forwardly tapering exhaust pipe tip. This muffler cartridgefunctions to quiet the exhaust system of the vehicle down to the regulatory standards when insertedand yet, the cartridge can be quickly removed from the exhaust system.

With the foregoing in mind, it is a major object of this invention to provide an improved exhaust pipe tip particularly adapted to receive a removable muffler cartridge.

Another object of this invention is to provide an exhaust pipe tip which will give to exhaust gases passing through it a megaphone effect. I

A further object of this inventionis to provide an exhaust pipe tip with means for removably securing therein a muffler cartridge in order that the exhaust system of the vehicle with which the tip is used may be selectivelybrought to the regulatory standards of noise emission.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved removable muffler cartridge which may be quickly inserted into an exhaust system, or quickly removed therefrom as desired.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a removable muffler cartridge which is particularly useful in forwardly tapering exhaust tip.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a muffler cartridge which can be economically manufactured and which will provide long service in use. I

It is still another object of this invention to provide an exhaust system including a muffler cartridge which maybe selectively removed from the exhaust systernwhenever there is not the desire to maintain the exhaust system noises to the regulatory levels.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a removable muffler cartridge for an exhaust system, which cartridge is compact and lightweight in order that it canbe handled easily. 7

Other and further objects of this invention will become apparent in the detaileddescription below in conjunction with the attached drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a pictorial outside view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the exhaust pipe tip and muffler cartridge combination shown in FIG. 1, taken along the central axial plane of the combination;

FIG. 3 is a view of the exhaust pipe tip with the muffler cartridge removed, taken along the same line as in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the exhaust pipe tip and muffler cartridge combination;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the forward section of the exhaust pipe tip, taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view of the rear portion of the muffler cartridge, taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 4; and,

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the area encircled in line 7 in FIG. 2 and disclosing details of the manner in which the muffler cartridge is received in sealing relationship with the exhaust pipe tip.

In use, the megaphone exhaust pipe tip ofthe present invention is normally directed straight rearwardly or upward and rearwardly-although there are instances where it is directed toward one side or the other. In order to establish in this specification and the appended claims, a frame of reference for the various components, and thereby facilitate the description and claiming of the invention, the illustrated device and the invention will be described and claimed with the use of terms such as front and rear, and forward and rearward. However, it is to be understood that these terms are solely used in order to establish a frame of reference of the components relative to each other and do not limit the structure being defined to a particular orientation with reference to the vehicle to which they are used.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown an exhaust pipe tip-assembly, indicated generally by the arrow 10, which includes a megaphone tip member 11 tapering forward from its open rear end. Intermediate pipes 12 exemplify the ducting which carries the exhaust gases from the engine. As there are two intermediate pipes 12, they are fit into a manifold I3 which is welded to the forward end of the exhaust pipe tip 11. (See FIGS. 2 and 7 in particular.) Although the manifold 13 brings in two intermediate pipes 12, it could bring in other numbers of pipes, or even merely a single pipe. But, in any such event, the exhaust pipe tip assembly 10 is preferably provided with a V-cross section ring facing toward the rear of the combination. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention this is accomplished by a rearwardly tapering rear section I5 which is combined with tip member 11 to form such V-cross section ring. (See FIGS. 2 and 7 in particular.) This arrangement facilitates the manufacture of the muffler cartridge and facilitates insertion and removal of the muffler cartridge.

For a purpose to be described, a front spider (in the form of a cross strap 16) extends across the rear opening of the rear section 15 at the center thereof. And, this cross strap 16 has welded thereto a threaded collar 17.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 4, 6, and 7 in particular, a preferred form of the muffler cartridge, indicated generally by the arrow 20, will now be described. The muffler cartridge is preferably formed of an inner tube 21 which is concentrically located within outer tube 22 to form an annular muffler chamber 23 filled with muffler material such as, e.g., fiberglass 24. A large number of holes 25 in the inner tube 2i serve to permit the fiberglass to perform its muffling function when the muffler cartridge 20 is in operative position.

For purposes of closing the front end of the muffler chamber 23, there is provided a rearwardly tapering frustroconical front plate 27 welded to the front edge of the inner tube 21, and welded to the outer tube 22 a short distance to the rear of front edge 28 of the outer tube.

The rear end of the muffler chamber\23 is closed by a rear cross plate 30. In order to facilitate indexing rear edge 31 of the inner tube relative to the cross plate 30 during manufacture, the cross plate has been, stamped such that when punchouts 32 are made, a forwardly projecting annular flange 33 is provided around the outside perimeter of each punchout 32. Thereby, the inner tube rear edge 31 can be easily indexed and welded to the forwardly projecting annular flange 33 as at 34.

As best seen in FIGS. 4, and 6, the punchouts 32 are disposed so as to leave spider in the form of a crossbar 35. For a purpose to be described, a cross bar 35 is to have extra rigidity. Accordingly, a forwardly projecting flange 36 is formed on either side of the crossbar 35 in the punching process. For purposes of properly indexing the cross plate 32 rear edge 37 of the outer tube 22, the cross plate is formed with a forwardly projecting annular flange 38. Thereby, the rear edge 37 of the outer tube 22 can be quickly oriented and welded as at 39. It will be noted that the flange 38 becomes larger in diameter as it extends forward. And, in addition.

there is provided a radially extending flange 40 which terminates in a rearwardly extending ring 41. This ring 41 engages the inside surface of tip 11 around the perimeter of the ring and receives indexing support from the inside surface. Thereby the inside surface furnishes an indexing ring which supports the rear end of the cartridge 20. The ring 41 tapers forwardly at a greater angle than the tip 11. Accordingly, primary engagement occurs at rear edge 42 of the ring 4!. Because of the angle at which the flange 38 and the ring 41 taper-and the thinness of the material-the cross plate 30 can snugly index the rear end of the cartridge 20 concentric to the tip 11 without requiring exacting preciseness in the dimensions of the tip 11 and the cross plate 30. More particularly, in cross section (as seen in FIG. 6) the flanges 38, 40, and 41 look like a bent or U-shape beam which is springy by the nature of the material. As the flanges 38, 40, and 41 extend around the circumference of the outer tube 22, they provide a circumferential bent beam. This arrangement enables the system to accommodate better changes in dimensions resulting from temperature changes. Also, this arrangement effectively seals the area between the outer tube 22 and the tip 11. This reduces the chances of debris collecting in this area.

It should also be noted that the muffler cartridge 20 has a particular useful and unique shape which enables it to accomplish its purpose and yet minimizes the cost of production. More particularly, the outer tube 22 is provided with a cylindrical from section 43 and a cylindrical rear section 44 which is substantially larger in diameter 'than the front section.- As the rear section 44 is larger, this permits the inner tube 21 to be provided with a forwardly tapering rear section 45. This forwardly tapering rear section 45 is desired since the crossbar 35 extends across the center of the exit opening.

As mentioned above, the muffler cartridge 20 is to be removably placed in the operative position shown in FIG. 2. To this end, it is preferred that the bolt 47 be extended through hole 48 in the crossbar 35 of the cross plate 30. This bolt 47 threads into the above mentioned threaded collar 17. Then, by tightening the bolt 47, the muffler cartridge 20 may be forced forwardly (to the left as seen in FIG. 2) urging the front edge 28 into tight relationship with the tapering rear section of the manifold 13 (see FIG. 7 in particular). The flanges 36 prevent the crossbar 35"from flexing too much.

It should be noted how the relationship between the front edge 28 and the tapered section-.15 causes the front end of the muffler cartridge to automatically index itself concentrically. In addition, the muffler cartridge 20 can readily accommodate variations in the diameter. of the section 15. This reduces the tolerance requirements for manufacture. For example, if the diameter of the rear section 15 were smaller than average, the muffler cartridge 20 would accommodate this by merely moving further forward (to the left as seen in FIG. 7) on the section. Similarly, the diameter of the front edge 28 of the outer tube 22 were larger or smaller than nominal, the structure can accommodate this.- lt should be remembered that the preferred configurationof the cross plate 30 will permit these variations where the front end of the cartridge engages the section 15. t

Preferably, the various components of the cartridge 20 are made of sheet metal. However, they or, some of them, could be made of materials such as fiberglass or ceramic.

in operation, the operator need merely unthread the bolt 47 in order to remove the muffler cartridge 20 from its operative position shown in FIG. 2. After this is accomplished, the exhaust system will make a rather a loud noise which is directionalized by the megaphone exhaust tip 11. when it is desired to reinstall the muffler cartridge 20, the operator merely inserts it into the tip 11 until the edge 28 engages the section 15. The relationship of the flange 38 and the ring 41 will permit the cartridge 20 to accommodate changes in the diameter of the tip 11 as the cartridge is moved into a position where the edge 28 engages the section 15. Then, the bolt 47 is tightened. The slight spring effect of the crossbar 16 will hold the cartridge 20 firmly in engagement with the V-cross section seat even through there are temperature changes in operation.

While the present invention has been shown and described in connection with only one preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the present invention. By way of example, the bolt 47 could be replaced by threads on the tip 11 and the flange 41, and such threads might be bayonet threads. However, the illustrated structure is preferred in that it is more economical to manufacture.

lclaim: 1 g

1. In combination with an exhaust pipe having a generally tubular shape with a forward sealing ring and a rear indexing ring rearward of said forward sealing ring, said rear indexing ring being of a substantially larger diameter than said forward sealing ring:

a muffler cartridge removably received in said exhaust pipe,

said cartridge comprising:

an inner tube and an outer tube with the inner tube concentrically received within the outer tube fon'ning a muffler chamber therebetween, said inner tube having passages communicating the interior of the inner tube with the muffler chamber, said inner tube having a front inlet and a rear outlet,

means fixing said inner tube ,in concentric relation with said outer tube and closing the front and rear ends of said muffler chamber,

index means on said cartridge for engaging said rear indexing ring when the front end of said cartridge engages forward sealing ring, and

mounting means removably connected between said exhaust pipe and said cartridge selectively holding said cartridge front end against said forward sealing ring, said mounting means selectivelypermitting said cartridge to be withdrawn out of said exhaust pipe said cartridge may be selectively removed from said exhaust pipe.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said mounting means includes:

a rear spider extending across the rear outlet of the inner tube, said rear spider having a hole through the center thereof;

a front spider extending across the exhaust pipe adjacent the front end of said cartridge, said front spider having thread means thereon adapted to removably receive the threaded portion of a bolt; and

a bolt extending through said hole in the center of said rear spider and into the thread means of said front spider with the head of the bolt engaging the rear spider, whereby the bolt will hold the cartridge in operative position in said exhaust pipe.

3. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein:

one of said forward sealing ring and said front end of said cartridge has a V-shaped cross section receiving therein the other of said sealing ring and front end of said cartridge.

4. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said forward sealing ring comprises:

a rearwardly facing annular ring having a V-shaped cross section and the front end of said cartridge engages the sealing ring in said V-shaped cross section, whereby the front end of said cartridge can seal with said sealing ring and the diameter of the front end of the cartridge as com- I pared to the sealing ring is not critical.

5. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said outer tube has acylindrical forward section and a cylindrical rear section joined by a conical section; and

said rear section being substantially the same amount larger in diameter than said forward section as said rear indexing ring is larger than said forward sealing ring.

6. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said index means at the rear of said cartridge effectively seals the area between the exhaust pipe and the outer tube of the cartridge.

7. The combination set forth in claim 4 wherein:

said outer tube front end projects forward of the front end of the inner tube and the means closing the front end of the muffler chamber, and said frdntend of said outer tube is received in said V-shaped sealing ring. 8. A muffler cartridge particularly adapted to be removably inserted in an exhaust pipe having a-forwardly tapering bore, said cartridge comprising:

an inner tube and an outer tube with the inner tube concentrically received within said outer tube forming a muffler chamber therebetween, said inner tube having therein passages communicating between the interior of said inner tube and said muffler chamber, said inner tube having a front inlet and a rear outlet, said outer tube having a cylindrical forward section and a cylindrical rear section with said rear section being substantially larger than said forward section; and index means on said cartridge. forindexing said cartridge concentric with an exhaust pipe within which said cartridge is inserted, said index means'including radially extending material adapted to engage the wall of the exhaust pipe. 1

9. The invention set forth in claim 8 including:

a spider extending across the rear exit of the interior tube,

said spider having a hole therethrough at the axis of the inner tube and adapted to receive therethrough a bolt extending along the axis of the inner tube for purposes of selectively anchoring said cartridge in an exhaust pipe. l0. The invention set forth in claim 8 wherein said index means comprises:

an annular flange extending around the circumference of said outer tube. 11. The invention set forth in claim 10 including: I a tubular stiffener section around the outer edge of said flange, whereby said last mentioned tubular section stiffens said annular flange. 12. The invention set forth in claim 8 wherein said index means includes: 1

resilient means fixed to said muffler cartridge and extending outwardly on all sides of the cartridge, said resilient means extending rearwardly at least part of its length as the resilient means extends outwardly. 13. The invention set forth in claim 8 wherein said index means comprises:

a circumferential spring bent fixed to said cartridge and extending radially outward. 

1. In combination with an exhaust pipe having a generally tubular shape with a forward sealing ring and a rear indexing ring rearward of said forward sealing ring, said rear indexing ring being of a substantially larger diameter than said forward sealing ring: a muffler cartridge removably received in said exhaust pipe, said cartridge comprising: an inner tube and an outer tube with the inner tube concentrically received within the outer tube forming a muffler chamber therebetween, said inner tube having passages communicating the interior of the inner tube with the muffler chamber, said inner tube having a front inlet and a rear outlet, means fixing said inner tube in concentric relation with said outer tube and closing the front and rear ends of said muffler chamber, index means on said cartridge for engaging said rear indexing ring when the front end of said cartridge engages forward sealing ring, and mounting means removably connected between said exhaust pipe and said cartridge selectively holding said cartridge front end against said forward sealing ring, said mounting means selectively permitting said cartridge to be withdrawn out of said exhaust pipe said cartridge may be selectively removed from said exhaust pipe.
 2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said mounting means includes: a rear spider extending across the rear outlet of the inner tube, said rear spider having a hole through the center thereof; a front spider extending across the exhaust pipe adjacent the front end of said cartridge, said front spider having thread means thereon adapted to removably receive the threaded portion of a bolt; and a bolt extending through said hole in the center of said rear spider and into the thread means of said front spider with the head of the bolt engaging the rear spider, whereby the bolt will hold the cartridge in operative position in said exhaust pipe.
 3. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein: one of said forward sealing ring and said front end of said cartridge has a V-shaped cross section receiving therein the other of said sealing ring and front end of said cartridge.
 4. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said forward sealing ring comprises: a rearwardly facing annular ring having a V-shaped cross section and the front end of said cartridge engages the sealing ring in said V-shaped cross section, whereby the front end of said cartridge can seal with said sealing ring and the diameter of the front end of the cartridge as compared to the sealing ring is not critical.
 5. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein: said outer tube has a cylindrical forward section and a cylindrical rear section joined by a conical section; and said rear section being substantially the same amount larger in diameter than said forward section as said rear indexing ring is larger than said forward sealing ring.
 6. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein: said index means at the rear of said cartridge effectively seals the area between the exhaust pipe and the outer tube of the cartridge.
 7. The combination set forth in claim 4 wherein: said outer tube front end projects forward of the front end of the inner tube and the means closing the front end of the muffler chamber, and said front end of said outer tube is received in said V-shaped sealing ring.
 8. A muffler cartridge particularly adapted to be removably inserted in an exhaust pipe having a forwardly tapering bore, said cartridge comprising: an inner tube and an outer tube with the inner tube concentrically received within said outer tube forming a muffler chamber therebetween, said inner tube having therein passages communicating between the interior of said inner tube and said muffler chamber, said inner tube having a front inlet and a rear outlet, said outer tube having a cylindrical forward section and a cylindrical rear section with said rear section being substantially larger than said forward section; and index means on said cartridge for indexing said cartridge concentric with an exhaust pipe within which said cartridge is inserted, said index means including radially extending material adapted to engage the wall of the exhaust pipe.
 9. The invention set forth in claim 8 including: a spider extending across the rear exit of the interior tube, said spider having a hole therethrough at the axis of the inner tube and adapted to receive therethrough a bolt extending along the axis of the inner tube for purposes of selectively anchoring said cartridge in an exhaust pipe.
 10. The invention set forth in claim 8 wherein said index means comprises: an annular flange extending around the circumference of said outer tube.
 11. The invention set forth in claim 10 including: a tubular stiffener section around the outer edge of said flange, whereby said last mentioned tubular section stiffens said annular flange.
 12. The invention set forth in claim 8 wherein said index means includes: resilient means fixed to said muffler cartridge and extending outwardly on all sides of the cartridge, said resilient means extending rearwardly At least part of its length as the resilient means extends outwardly.
 13. The invention set forth in claim 8 wherein said index means comprises: a circumferential spring bent fixed to said cartridge and extending radially outward. 